Food & Flair: A Gastronomic Hideout

by July 17, 2016

written by July 17, 2016

Located in the National Textile Museum near Dataran Merdeka, The Canteen is a little quiet nest, a peaceful den to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Quirky and quaint, it is elaborately decked out with beautiful ornaments adding a whimsical charm and gorgeous décor that adorns the interior.

With an impressive proﬁle, The Canteen is Masterchef Malaysia’s Judge Chef Adu Amran’s third restaurant, his ﬁrst in the heart of the vibrant city of KL. Returning from the UK after 17 years, his humble and charismatic personality is portrayed in his love for art, interior and of course food. From grand African draperies, decorative ancient ﬁgures to a range of vintage furniture and décor, these can be found embellishing the casual setting, enhancing a laid-back and relaxing ambiance within the café.

The menu itself is rather unique to the Malaysian market, with a combination of Chef Adu’s own family recipes and British inﬂuences. Diners will ﬁnd true local ﬂavours in Malaysian favourite dishes and, exotic and enticing variants in the Asian-fusion choices, much like the exciting interior of the chic café.

Popular dishes amongst the Malaysian favourites include Laksa Johor, where Chef Adu explained the arduous, but rewarding process of making this dish, and the result? – An explosion of ﬂavour dancing around the mouth that will satisfy any homesick Johorean. The accompanying Sambal is also a wonderful kick of spice with a sweet touch, complementing other dishes on the menu too. Other Malaysian favourites include the traditional Nasi Lemak and Mee Bandung, which will easily please diners.

The Tortilla Roti Canai is a must-have in The Canteen however. This fusion dish features Malaysian roti canai, filled with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, grilled to perfection so that the cheese oozes out seductively. It is simply so delicious and it certainly comes as no surprise when Chef Adu says that it’s a hit in his other restaurants in London and Langkawi.

Offering a lighter option, diners will also ﬁnd a variety of salads on the menu, from Salad Nasi Kerabu, Quinoa and Grilled Vegetable Salad, to Rojak. With more western elements found in the salad, the dressing and garnishing’s dominate Asian aromas, creating a lovely, healthy and ﬂavourful plate.

Of course a meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert, and what better way is there to ﬁnish a truly enjoyable meal than with a brownie or some cake. Sticking to his Malaysian roots, Chef Adu’s dessert selection features interesting sweets to round off the meal. The infamous Smoked Banana Brownies are unlike any brownie you will have ever tasted, with its exceptional ﬂavour combination in a perfectly baked brownie. A tempting selection of cakes and sweets are also available in the cake display fridge such as Black Sesame Roll and Red Bean and Sirap Bandung Cake.

It’s not just the interior that is eclectic, but the food is too. Chef Adu has remarkably created a space in the heart of KL, within a museum that can take you on a gastronomic journey. With his warm and friendly charm that is reﬂected in the café, dining at The Canteen couldn’t be more delightful.

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